The morning sun shone brightly in the capital's sky, casting a beautiful, warm golden glow over the day. In the front yard of the mansion, Kazien, Alvin, Allen, Arken, and Erica were all ready, dressed in their neat academy uniforms.
Just before they stepped out of the mansion gates to cross the street toward the academy, Kazien stopped in his tracks and looked at Arken and Erica with a serious gaze.
"Wait a moment!" Kazien said, halting them with a gesture of his hand. "There is one crucial thing you must remember before we set foot in the classroom."
Erica tilted her head, her long purple hair swaying with the movement. "Huh? What is that, Brother Kazien?"
Kazien shook his head slowly. "It's not about the uniform. It's about identity. When you two introduce yourselves in front of the class later, make sure you hide our family name properly!"
"Why do we have to hide it?" Erica asked, still confused.
"Because I have a plan for this academy." Kazien explained in a low voice so as not to be overheard by passersby on the street. "As of now, no student, except for Dean Claus and the teachers knows my true identity or Allen's. All they know is that we are just wealthy commoners."
Arken and Erica nodded in agreement, though they were curious about Kazien's plan.
With the agreement made, the five of them stepped out of the mansion gates. Separated only by the main road, their journey was very short. However, their charm could not be hidden.
Throughout the main corridor of the academy, Erica's presence, seen for the first time acted like a magnet. Her stunning beauty, sparkling eyes, and flowing purple hair made many heads turn. Whispers of admiration began to echo, accompanying their footsteps toward the faculty office.
A few moments later in Class 1-D, the atmosphere, which had been noisy with morning chatter, suddenly went silent when the door opened. Professor Dania Rolvold entered, followed by two new students.
Every student's eyes were instantly fixed on them. Erica's beautiful face and sweet smile seemed to bewitch every boy in the room. Beside her, Arken stood with a steady posture and a handsome face that radiated a strong masculine aura, making the female students hold their breath.
"Attention, everyone!" Professor Dania's voice broke the silence. "Today we have two new students joining this class. Please, introduce yourselves."
Erica took a step forward with confidence. She smiled warmly, scanning the entire room.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Erica." she said cheerfully. "I am Kazien's cousin and Allen's younger sister! It's nice to meet you, please take care of me!"
The brief yet warm introduction was met with immediate enthusiasm from male students.
"Nice to meet you, Erica!" several male students shouted almost in unison, captivated by her beauty and cheerfulness.
It was then Arken's turn to step forward. He wasn't as bubbly as Erica, but his charisma felt calmer and more mature.
"Hello!" he greeted softly yet firmly. "You might have seen me with them before. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Arken! Kazien's younger brother and the cousin of Allen and Erica. Nice to meet you."
The reaction from the female students was no less hectic.
"Wow, their family genetics are truly incredible!" one student whispered to her friend. "The older brother is handsome, and the younger one is too!"
"That's enough!" Professor Dania interrupted, tapping her wooden ruler on the desk to bring the class to order. "I am Dania Rolvold, your homeroom teacher. Erica, Arken, you may sit in the empty seats next to Allen and Alvin!"
"Yes, Professor Dania." they replied in unison.
Almost every male student watched without blinking as Erica walked gracefully to her seat, while Arken sat quietly next to Alvin. The five of them were now gathered in a single row of desks, becoming the indirect center of the class's attention.
Time passed quickly until the break bell rang. Kazien, Alvin, Allen, Arken, and Erica rose from their seats, intending to head to the cafeteria for lunch together.
However, their steps were halted in the corridor designated for first-year students.
Four senior students stood blocking their path. Their uniforms were slightly different, adorned with accessories that indicated a higher social status. One of them, standing at the front, stared intensely at Kazien as if matching Kazien's face to an image in his mind.
Silvery-white hair with sapphire blue eyes... The features match the report I received. the student thought, confirming his target.
"Hey!" the student shouted arrogantly. "Are you the one named Kazien?"
Kazien stopped walking, staring at the student with a flat, unreadable expression. "Yes, I am Kazien. What is it?"
The student stepped forward, attempting to intimidate Kazien with a sharp glare, though he failed as Kazien remained composed.
"I heard you dared to strike a noble lady from a Marquis family." he said accusingly. "What kind of family do you come from to have that much nerve?"
Kazien gave a thin smile, one that looked more like a subtle mock. "I come from my parents' family!"
That trivial answer made the faces of the four seniors turn red with anger. They felt belittled by a junior.
"Tsk! So the rumors are true. You're just a disrespectful commoner!" the student sneered. "You dared to hit my fiancée?"
Kazien shrugged nonchalantly. "We had an official duel on the academy grounds. It's only natural she'd receive a blow if we were fighting, isn't it?" Kazien replied, his tone remaining very calm, in contrast to his opponent's emotions.
Kazien then glanced at Alvin, who stood beside him. "Besides, this Elf is my fiancé. And that noblewoman wanted to take him from me by force!"
"Hahaha!"
The four seniors burst out laughing, as if they had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.
"A commoner engaged to an Elf? Are you kidding me?" the student asked dismissively, looking down at Kazien.
"I am not kidding!" Kazien replied firmly.
He raised his left hand, and Alvin did the same. "Just look at the rings on the ring fingers of our left hands!"
The senior student narrowed his eyes. The shimmer of the engagement rings on Kazien and Alvin's fingers was clearly visible to the four of them. Instantly, their laughter died down, and they finally believed that the two juniors before them were indeed officially engaged.
"By the way, what is your name?" Kazien asked suddenly, breaking the awkward silence.
The student puffed out his chest again, feeling his dignity return after mentioning his name. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, didn't I? Listen well so you know who you're dealing with! I am Marcos Eldebrans, the second son of the Finance Minister of the Garveon Kingdom!"
Kazien's eyebrows arched slightly. So, he's Samuel Eldebrans' second son, huh? Kazien mused internally.
"Is there a reason you are looking for me, Mr. Marcos?" Kazien asked, feigning curiosity and respect.
Marcos looked at him with disgust. "I want you to leave this Academy immediately! Your presence as a commoner makes me sick! You have defiled this place by hurting a noble!"
"I decline!" Kazien replied quickly and firmly. "My parents paid a lot for me to attend this academy! It is impossible for me to—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Marcos cut him off with a boastful tone, as if money were the solution to all problems.
"I will pay for all your damages! Whatever costs you've incurred, I will reimburse them twofold! If you reject my kindness, I assure you that you will regret it for daring to oppose the word of the son of this kingdom's Finance Minister!"
The atmosphere in the corridor suddenly turned tense. The air felt heavy.
Behind Kazien, Allen clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. His eyes glared fiercely at Marcos.
Damn you! Allen seethed internally. This guy is really getting on my nerves! How dare he threaten my future husband right in front of my eyes! Who does he think he is?!
As Kazien's fiancé, this insult felt deeply painful to him. He wanted to step forward and smash Marcos's arrogant face right then and there.
Arken felt the same anger boiling in his chest. How dare he belittle My Huby like that! This guy is a total jerk!
Alvin, standing between them, sensed the danger. With a swift yet smooth motion, he tapped Allen and Arken on their shoulders simultaneously.
Tap! Tap!
Instantly, Allen and Arken startled. Alvin's tap brought them back to their senses. They took a deep breath, swallowing their anger for Kazien's sake.
Thank goodness they calmed down. Alvin thought with relief. It would be very dangerous if they acted rashly. Everything our future husband planned could fall apart just because of a moment's emotion.
On the other side, Kazien continued to stare at Marcos with an unwavering gaze.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Marcos," Kazien said with a loud, emphasized voice, "I still refuse! I have promised my family that I will graduate from this academy!"